BLANKENBERGE - The presenter takes a look around in the brand new room and says: ,,We have to get used to it, but it looks really beautiful.'' The Multi's in the Blankenberge casino, the annual billiards marathon with all disciplines, at the start of the year, have been launched. It is pure enjoyment for the viewers and connoisseurs again.
Benny van Goethem, ringmaster and referee coordinator, explains: ,,We're playing on four tables for the first time, for the 19th time in the casino, but for the first time in this new Savery Hall on the fourth floor. With 42 participants in total, who will compete for seven titles in 120 matches.'' The house speaker makes clear that (with five rounds of four matches every day) there are eight referees on the tables and 23 are called up for the entire week.
The numbers are impressive, as the venue is with the Vip boxes, the double seat capacity, that means, more viewers and more comfort.
Started of on Sunday until Sunday next week, all disciplines together, first matches at 11.00 am until the evening (last laps at 20.30). For the first time in the tournament, the three cushion tournament is divided into eight groups of four: not in a direct knockout phase, but with 32 players who must decide which sixteen will show up in the main tournament.
It has been quite a tough battle for sports director Patrik Mintjens to lead all that smoothly. Benny van Goethem: ,,He had to do an enormous effort trying to keep up with the needs of players and competitions everywher.''
Four young players started their tournament in three cushion in the morning (Sunday). Andy de Bond and Wesley van Apers did it with two wins over Thomas Caluwaerts and Geoffrey Dresselaerts. The two winners compete for the title at the end of the week.
Marco Janssen made in the first three cushion group a promising start with a win over Alain Clabots (40-14 in 23) and a draw against Frank de Groof (40-40 in 52).
Davy van Havere surprisingly lost to Alain Clabots but then recovered in his next matches with two wins, in the last session against Marco Janssen 40-37 in 27. Both players advanced for the main event.
Philippe Deraes made the biggest impression in the first rounds of the balk-line games with a match 47/2 against Johan Devos in only two innings with a final run of 245 (300-34). Johan Claessen beat Johan Devos (300-221), but needed 17 innings to reach the finish. His last match, in the free game, Claessen closed in one inning against Peter Vandeloo.
Today (Monday, from 11.00) two heavyweights enter the room for their three cushion groups. Frédéric Caudron in his group with Martin Spoormans and Bart Ceulemans, starts against Mathy Monnissen. Eddy Leppens in the opening round against Marc Celen and then continues against Francis Forton and Patrick Kesteloot.
Also on the tables, in the balk-lines and one cushion today: Patrick Niessen, Andy de Bond (both free game), Peter De Backer and Maarten Janssen (one cushion).
All matches will be broadcast live on Kozoom throughout the week.